133. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for
Economic Affairs (Gorog) to
President Ford, Washington,
September 3, 1976.12

Washington, September 3,
1976

THE WHITE HOUSEWASHINGTON

September 3, 1976

DECISION

MEMORANDUM FOR

THE PRESIDENT

FROM:

WILLIAM F. GOROG [WFG initialed]

SUBJECT:

Naming the Space Shuttle

Next Wednesday you will meet with Dr. James
Fletcher of NASA for a
substantive meeting at which time you will be presented with a mock-up
of the space shuttle, the full scale version of which will be rolled out
in California later this month. NASA
has not announced a name as of yet for the shuttle, and they are holding
this announcement until your meeting with Fletcher.

Dr. Fletcher is not adverse to the
name “Enterprise” for the space shuttle, and I suggest that you ask that
it be so named for the following reasons:

NASA has received hundreds of
thousands of letters from the space-oriented “Star Trek” group
asking that the name “Enterprise” be given to the craft. This
group comprises millions of individuals who are deeply
interested in our space program.

The name “Enterprise” is tied in with the system on which the
Nation’s economic structure is built.

Use of the name would provide a substantial human interest
appeal to the rollout ceremonies scheduled for this month in
California, where the aeronautical industry is of vital
importance.

In short, this situation could provide the same public interest as the
CB radio provided for Mrs. Ford.

Your approval is sought to have NASA use
the name “Enterprise” on the space shuttle.

Staffing of the attached memorandum resulted in the following comments
and recommendations:

Phil Buchen and Brent Scowcroft - concur with
recommendation.

Jim Cannon - “It seems to me
“Enterprise” is an excellent name for the space shuttle.

It would be personally gratifying to several million followers of the
television show “Star Trek”, one of the most dedicated constituencies in
the country.

Moreover, the name “Enterprise” is a hallowed Navy tradition. An
“Enterprise” was in action against the Barbary pirates in 1803. During
World War II, an “Enterprise” served with the Wasp and the Hornet in the
carrier fleet in the Pacific. And the Navy’s current “Enterprise” is the
first nuclear carrier.”

Dr. Guy Stever - “Enterprise” is
fine for the reasons listed.”

Bob Hartmann - “This is an
especially hallowed Naval name - going back to the Revolution - I think
Navy should keep it.”

Jack Marsh - “I have no objection
to this selection of a name, however, I am not enthusiastic about the
rationale for the selection. “Enterprise” is a famous name for vessels
since the early days of the Republic. I think that is a far better
reason than appealing to a T.V. fad.”

Jim Connor

Source:
Ford Library, Presidential
Handwriting File, Subject File, Box 34, Outer Space. No
classification marking. Ford
initialed his approval. The September 7 document reporting the
reactions of White House staff is attached to the memorandum. The
decision in favor of “Enterprise” was announced on September 9, one
day after the meeting with NASA
officials.↩

The memorandum recommended
naming the first space shuttle “Enterprise” as a response to appeals
by supporters of the television show “Star Trek.”↩